近日，船东互保协会对于从菲律宾港口装载镍矿的要求受到船东的广泛关注，尤其是保赔协会是否会强制要求指派新加坡或英国的专家对货物进行TML/FMP测试，从而导致装货延误。有鉴于此，我们总结国际保赔协会集团属下的一些协会对于在菲律宾装载的镍矿的最新态度和实践经验。
在菲律宾装载镍矿时是否强制要求TML的测试一定由新加坡或伦敦的专家进行？
几乎所有的集团协会都持有类似的立场，他们并没有强制性要求货物装船前采样和进行实验室检验， 但一再强调船东必須按照《国际海运固体散货规则》（下简称规则）的要求。如果托运人在装船前无法提供合格的货物证书，协会则会要求船东做采样和测试。同时，协会提醒船东不应依赖发货人提供的矿场实验室对样品进行化验的结果，应当由船东委任的验船师和专家的独立测试。
因此，船东是否有必要委任专家进行采样和测试应因个案不同而异，主要取决于协会/协会通代/货检人员对货物的状况和发货人提供的证书的满意度。
目前菲律宾当地是否有协会认可的实验室来测定 TML / FMP？
虽然有关人士表示菲律宾正在建立当地的TML / FMP的测试实验室，但是根据我们从各协会收集的意见，认为当地还没有被协会认可的实验室。与此同时，一些协会表示，即使当地已经建立了该实验室，他们仍会采取非常谨慎的态度。
我们的经验：船东互保协会对于菲律宾镍矿装载前检验的安排采取了两种做法:
- 如果当地货物检验人员对 “罐装测试” 的结果持肯定态度的话，协会很少要求送样品到新加坡或伦敦进行测试,或
- 一律要求对货物采样并发送到新加坡或英国做TML / FMP的测试，否则可能影响保险。
检验费用
至于检验费用，所有的互保协协会一致认为，镍矿等货物的装船前检验的主要目的，是确保运输安全，是所有成员的应有的职责，这也不属于避免或减少损失的措施，故费用应由船东自行承担。如果成员严格遵行国际规则和地方性法规的规定，确保安全运输的要求，就不会影响保单责任。
然而，如果在事故发生后，检验结果被用于积极防御协会承保的相关责任，协会可能承担全部或部分检验费用。
评论
我们建议我们的客户采取极尽谨慎的态度，严格遵守规则和咨询协会。一旦发生意外事件，协会将仔细追查会员所采取的每一个步骤是否遵守国际规则和地方性法规。如果协会发现会员有不足之处，则可能影响保险。
如果您有任何相关咨询，请与我们联系！
详细信息请参阅附件。
Latest Practice of Loading Nickel Ore in Philippines
Recently, the Club’s requirements for loading nickel ore from ports in Philippines are widely concerned by ship owners, especially whether a P&I Club will ask for a compulsory TML/FMP survey by experts in Singapore or England which might cause delay to the loading operation. We hereby summarize the latest attitude of the IG Clubs and our practical experiences with some of the IG Clubs for nickel ore loading in Philippines.
Whether a compulsory TML test is required to be carried out in Singapore or London when loading nickel ore in Philippines.
Nearly all the IG Clubs hold a similar position that, there are no compulsory requirements for sampling and lab testing but the requirements of the IMSBC Code must be complied with, samples and test may be needed if the shippers are unable to produce proper certificates well in advance of the vessel loading for the cargo. Meanwhile, the Group Clubs have opined that “little reliance can be placed on the results of testing conducted by the mine laboratories and samples should be subject of independent testing by surveyors and experts appointed on behalf of the vessel”.
Therefore, whether or not the sampling and testing on behalf of the vessel is needed should be considered on case by case basis, and highly subjective to the Club, its correspondent and surveyor’s satisfaction to the cargo certificates provided by shipper and the cargo condition.
Whether there is any local approved laboratory to test TML/FMP in Philippines up to date.
Although it has been suggested that local laboratory for TML/FMP testing would be set up in Philippines, all comments from IG clubs, we have received so far, hold that there is no local lab which is capable to conduct such test up to date of this writing. Meanwhile, some Clubs indicate that they will be very cautious even if the said laboratory is established.
Our experience of nickel ore preloading survey arrangement in Philippines with some IG clubs.
Generally, they are EITHER
Seldom have to request cargo sample to be sent to either Singapore or London for testing if the result of “can test” conducted by the surveyor/local correspondents is satisfied and their comments are positive.
OR
Cargo sample are to be sent to either Singapore or UK for TML/FMP testing, otherwise the cover may be prejudice.
Cost of Survey
As to the cost of survey, all IG Clubs take the view that the primary purpose of the survey in respect of cargoes such as nickel ore fines is to confirm safe carriage which is the prime duty of any Members. For this reason, Clubs do not cover the survey costs and neither are they considered a measure to avert or minimize loss. If members act in accordance with the Code and local regulations when not in conflict with the Code, and satisfy themselves as to safe carriage, there should be no undue exposure under the P&I cover.
However, the survey costs may be covered in full or part if the survey is actively used in defence of a P&I claim.
Comments
Above all, we recommend our clients to proceed with great caution. To echo, the IMSBC must be strictly complied with and the holding Club has to be consulted. If an incident happened, Clubs would scrutinize every step taken by the Members with the benefit of hindsight. Club’s cover would be prejudiced if it is found that the IMSBC or local regulations are not complied with.
Should you have any question, please feel free to contact us!
See attached file : ALCO Circular 20110023 Latest Practice of Loading Nickel Ore in Philippines.pdf
